To my surprise, a section of the nether garment began to burn with a cheery yellow flame

31 December 2025, The Tablet

Christopher Howse’s notebook

I had no reason to expect first thing in the morning that my underpants would be in flames before the day was out. In fact, if the Cumaean Sybil herself had prophesied it, I would have mocked her openly – always a mistake.

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